A guide to Kentucky State Parks
The best of the state’s natural beauty and adventure
Kentucky has 49 state parks—and we encourage you to visit them all. On these pages you’ll find 20 categories with a selection of the best state parks to visit for each one. The list is not all-inclusive: For example, more than three state parks have swimming pools, but these are the ones we recommend you try first. Enjoy this guide to Kentucky State Parks, compiled with the help of the staff at the Kentucky Department of Parks.
Golf
If you’re a golfer, there’s really no need to travel out of state. Some of the courses at Kentucky State Parks are nationally recognized by Golf Digest magazine. Interested? Check out the Getaway to Golf overnight packages and the Golf Trail Card Pass for unlimited access.
Visit these parks: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, General Burnside Island State Park, Mineral Mound State Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Hiking
State parks offer hundreds of miles of some of the finest trails to be found. Hiking is a great way to see the diversity of wildlife, geography and geology within the parks.
Visit these parks: Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, John James Audubon State Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Carter Caves State Resort Park, Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Fishing
Feel the tug of a striped bass so big he can pull a boat around—or a big muskellunge that can double over a heavy-duty fishing pole. No gear? No problem. Many state parks offer a fishing loaner program for guests. Just ask and the park will likely lend you a fishing pole and tackle.
Visit these parks: Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Taylorsville Lake State Park
Kid activities
Kids and Kentucky State Parks are hand in glove through programs like Hike and Explore day at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. Youngsters and the whole family can compete for prizes in the Family Adventure Quest program. Load up the car, name your team and follow the trail of curious quests.
Visit these parks: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, Fort Boonesborough State Park , E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
Swimming pools
Mark your calendar for Memorial Day weekend, the official start of swimming season at state park pools.
Visit these parks: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Levi Jackson State Park, Fort Boonesborough State Park
Camping
You’ll find great campgrounds and facilities in the parks, from primitive campsites for those who want a little more wilderness experience to developed RV sites for the pampered campers who want all the comforts of home.
Visit these parks: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Lake Malone State Park, Columbus-Belmont State Park, Green River Lake State Park, Paintsville Lake State Park, Fort Boonesborough State Park
Food
State park restaurants have come a long way in recent years—serving fresh, locally grown cuisine and Kentucky Proud products. Some parks have hired highly skilled chefs and on special occasions offer bison and wild game dinners.
Visit these parks: Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
Horse friendly
Climb in the saddle at one of the wrangler-led guided horseback rides. Walk, trot or lope along miles of self-guided trails through seldom-seen sections of the parks.
Visit these parks: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Taylorsville Lake State Park, Dawkins Line Rail Trail
Boating
There is no shortage of boating opportunities at the state parks. For those who don’t own boats, rental pontoons, fishing boats, kayaks and even houseboats are available for a wonderful time on the water.
Visit these parks: Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Yatesville Lake State Park, Green River Lake State Park
Historical
According to historians, Columbus-Belmont State Park was the site where an unknown Union general first caught the attention of President Abraham Lincoln. That general was Ulysses S. Grant. State parks give us an amazing wealth and diversity of knowledge.
Visit these parks: Columbus-Belmont State Park, Old Fort Harrod State Park, Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Fort Boonesborough State Park
Caves/caving
Carter Caves State Resort Park holds the highest concentration of caves in Kentucky. Guided tours through multiple passageways showcase dazzling formations and a 30-foot waterfall.
Visit this park: Carter Caves State Resort Park
Mountain biking
Bikers can take in the incredible scenery and feel the burn in their legs as they loop and leap their way along miles of rugged trails.
Visit these parks: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Green River Lake State Park, Dawkins Line Rail Trail, Nolin Lake State Park, Levi Jackson State Park
Historic homes
The owner of a large brick home in Richmond had central heating and indoor plumbing installed—in the mid-19th century. The homeowner, Cassius Clay, not only was a well-known abolitionist and politician but also way ahead of his time in “creature comfort” technology. White Hall is just one of the beautiful historic homes across Kentucky.
Visit these parks: My Old Kentucky Home State Park, White Hall State Historic Site, Waveland State Historic Site
Family gatherings
State park amenities are ideal for family gatherings and reunions. Reserve a large block of rooms for the kinfolk and enjoy the cuisine at one of the 17 state resort parks.
Visit these parks: Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Cumberland
Falls State Resort Park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Must-see natural wonders
Kentucky is blessed with amazing natural diversity. These natural wonders and a lot more can be found at the state parks and should be on anyone’s bucket list.
Visit these parks: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Kingdom Come State Park, John James Audubon State Park, Carter Caves State Resort Park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Weddings
There are plenty of romantic locations at the state resort parks—and teams are available to offer assistance and take a little stress out of the all-important wedding planning.
Visit these parks: Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Kenlake State Resort Park, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
Wildlife viewing
Guided wild elk viewing is a state parks program. So are songbird walks and bald eagle tours. You might see deer, wild turkey and even catch a glimpse of a black bear in some parks.
Visit these parks: Grayson Lake State Park, John James Audubon State Park, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kingdom Come State Park
Canoe/kayaking
Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to see the state parks and stay in shape. Water of all kinds is abundant in the parks and motorless, quiet paddling makes it much easier to hear the delicate sounds of nature.
Visit these parks: Grayson Lake State Park, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Blue Licks Battlefield State Historic Site
Museums
The state park museums will make you think and wonder about history. What were Israel Boone’s last moments like? How did naturalist and artist John James Audubon paint close-up likenesses of wild birds in such detail? Think, wonder and gaze upon priceless artifacts at the park museums.
Visit these parks: John James Audubon State Park, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Beaches
You don’t have to travel to the coastline to feel the sand between your toes at a public beach. We have our own beaches right here in Kentucky.
Visit these parks: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Green River Lake State Park, Nolin Lake State Park, Barren River Lake State Resort Park.
Visit Kentucky’s state parks for more information.
